Renowned for his iconic comic strip “Dilbert,” Scott Adams, whose work humorously depicted the challenges of office life and corporate culture, has passed away at the age of 68. His ex-wife, Shelly Miles, announced his death during a live stream on Adams’s social media accounts. Adams had disclosed his battle with prostate cancer that had spread to his bones in 2025. He was under hospice care at his home in Northern California.
In its prime, “Dilbert” was featured in over 2,000 newspapers worldwide, reaching 70 countries and available in 25 languages. Adams received the prestigious Reuben Award from the National Cartoonist Society in 1997 and made Time magazine’s list of most influential Americans that same year, marking the first fictional character to achieve this recognition.
Following controversial remarks in 2023, where Adams made offensive statements and was subsequently dropped from syndication, newspapers swiftly ceased publishing “Dilbert,” and his partnership with Andrews McMeel Universal was terminated. Despite this setback, Adams relaunched his comic strip as “Dilbert Reborn” on the conservative-leaning platform Rumble and delved into podcasting on political and social topics.
Adams, who started his career at Pacific Bell in the 1980s, introduced “Dilbert” in 1989, offering a satirical take on corporate bureaucracy and office dynamics. The strip’s characters, including the iconic Dilbert and his pointy-haired boss, resonated with audiences for their humorous and relatable portrayals of workplace absurdities. Adams’s engagement with fans through email interactions further enriched the comic’s content and led to the creation of memorable aphorisms.
While “Dilbert” garnered widespread popularity, Adams’s later years were marked by a shift in tone towards controversial and divisive themes. His descent into contentious topics like misogyny, anti-immigration, and racism drew criticism, ultimately impacting his professional standing. Despite these challenges, Adams maintained a vocal presence on social media and continued to engage with his audience until his passing.
U.S. President Donald Trump paid tribute to Adams, acknowledging his influence and resilience in the face of adversity, emphasizing his significant impact on popular culture.
